Copenhagen, Denmark - As the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) winds down, thousands of people marched in the streets today to "reclaim power" from the UN process they say is not good enough. Indigenous Peoples led a march from inside the official venue of the climate negotiations, to stand in solidarity with the rest of civil society in demanding climate justice.

Over the past two weeks, indigenous peoples have been working to ensure all potential climate policies and actions that come out of the negotiations, ensure recognition of and respect for the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities. Specifically, indigenous peoples have lobbied for the incorporation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) into climate policy. Although some would see the mention of the UNDRIP in the text of the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) a small success, many feel it is a slap in the face of indigenous peoples.

"Indigenous peoples rights are mentioned once in the form of a recommendation for nation states to consider, but not as a requirement," explains Alberto Saldamando of the International Indigenous Treaty Council (IITC). "But ensuring basic human rights for the worlds populations who are most affected by climate change should not be voluntary. It is a matter of obligation."

"It's a sad situation that world leaders representing industrialized society have lost their understanding of the sacredness of Mother Earth," adds Tom Goldtooth, Executive Director of the Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN). "Before we can achieve global action, there needs to be international awareness of why we are really here. We marched out in support of our brother, President Evo Morales of Bolivia, and his demand that the rights of Mother Earth be recognized in the negotiating text here in Copenhagen."

"Coming into these negotiations, I was optimistic about our world leaders coming together to solve this global problem," says Nikke Alex, a Navajo youth who works for the Black Mesa Water Coalition (BMWC) in the southwest United States. "But now I see the health of our people and Mother Earth are not central to their agenda. Their goal is to use the climate crisis to make profit. The people who are really solving climate change are those at the grassroots level, working to create more sustainable societies."

The IEN delegation brought a delegation of 21 Indigenous Peoples from North America affected by fossil fuel development. They came to call out false solutions like clean coal technology, nuclear power, and the carbon market. Over the past two weeks, the IEN delegation has used a variety of tactics to push for strong targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and demand effective, fair and equitable methods to address the climate issue.

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The Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN) is a United States-based non-governmental (Indigenous) organization formed in 1990 addressing environmental and economic justice challenges. IEN is a network of Indigenous Peoples empowering Indigenous communities and Nations towards sustainable livelihoods, demanding environmental justice, and maintaining the Sacred Fire of our traditions. Since 1998, IEN has been working on issues of climate change and global warming. IEN is one of the leading organizations/networks within the U.S. environmental justice movement involved in climate change policy - locally, nationally and globally.

WHEN: Wednesday, December 16, 2009 at 6:00 - 6:30pmWHERE: Asger Jorn Room, located in Hall H of the Bella Center

As the climate negotiations wind down, indigenous peoples are still fighting for the recognition of their rights in the final outcomes of COP15. Over the past two weeks, indigenous peoples have been working to ensure all potential climate policies and actions – from mitigation and adaptation to emissions reductions targets to finance mechanisms – ensure recognition of and respect for the rights of indigenous peoples.

The International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Climate Change (IIPFCC) is hosting a press conference to reflect on their work in Copenhagen and share their strategy for ensuring that these interests are met as climate policy moves forward.

Canadian First Nations at COP 15 Roll Out the Welcome Mat for Stephen Harper in Rally at Canadian Embassy

“Hey Harper: Climate Commitments = Shut Down Tar Sands”

Copenhagen, Denmark – Indigenous Peoples of Canada and their allies from around the world are in Copenhagen for the UN summit on climate change. Today they rolled out the “welcome mat” for Prime Minister Stephen Harper at the Canadian Embassy in Copenhagen. This action was part of a global day of action against the Canadian tar sands. The tar sands are the largest and most carbon intensive industrial project on the planet. Indigenous leaders of communities impacted by the tar sands and allied campaigners contend that Canada hasn’t kept Kyoto commitments and hasn’t ratified the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) because of the half-trillion dollar investments the massive tar sands development represents.

In a gesture of hospitality for the Prime Minister and an act of solidarity with communities directly impacted by the tar sands, Indigenous representatives and their allies delivered a gift basket full of Treaties for Prime Minister Harper to honor and/or sign in Copenhagen. These included important documents such as the Kyoto Protocol, First Nations Treaties and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

“As Indigenous People, we are here at the international climate negotiations to speak about threats to our cultural survival and the direct life-threatening impacts of climate change in our communities,” said Clayton Thomas Muller, Tar Sands Campaigner of the Indigenous Environmental Network. “Canada has been blocking the climate negotiations and hasn’t kept Kyoto commitments or ratified the UNDRIP because of the tar sands.”

“Fossil fuel extraction from the tar sands are killing our people with cancer, killing our culture by destroying our traditional lands, and killing our planet with CO2,” said Eriel Tchekwie Deranger, member of the Athbasca Chipewyan First Nation and Tar Sands Campaigner for the Rainforest Action Network. “It seems that Canada is more committed to fossil fuels than human rights or real action for the climate. Mr. Harper – We welcome you to Copenhagen because we want real action on climate, and that means shutting down the tar sands and a moratorium on new fossil fuel development.”

"The tar sands are a key reason why Canada has failed to take climate action. In the same timeframe that Harper promises to cut Canada's emissions a paltry 3 per cent, tar sands emissions are expected to triple,” said Maude Barlow, national chairperson of the Council of Canadians.

Today’s action is part of a global day of action organized by a coalition of groups including: Indigenous Environmental Network, Rainforest Action Network, Council of Canadians, Indigenous Peoples Power Project, and UK Tar Sands Group.

Actions are occurring in tandem with the Copenhagen events in London (UK), Montreal, Toronto, Edmonton, Vancouver and all across North America.

Speakers Include: Eriel Deranger and Susan Deranger of Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, Francois Paulette of Fort Smith First Nation, Maude Barlow, National Chairperson, Council of Canadians
Naomi Klein, Canadian Journalist/author/activist, and more...

Why: Indigenous leaders of communities impacted by the Tar Sands and allied campaigners contend that Canada hasn't kept Kyoto commitments and hasn't ratified the UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) because of its investment in the massive Tar Sands oil development. The Tar Sands is decimating Indigenous lands and causing cancer in First Nations communities, and skyrockting carbon emissions. Canadian Prime Minister Steven Harper will arrive in Copenhagen later this week, and needs briefing documents from Canadian constituents about the full impact of the tar sands on the COP 15 negotiations and on indigenous communities.

Friday, December 11, 2009

American and Canadian Youth Stand Together Against Tar Sands
No Concessions for Dirty Oil

What: American and Canadian youth of indigenous and non-indigenous descent will speak out today against Alberta's tar sands and its influence on the American and Canadian positions at the UN climate conference.

The youth will gather across from the document dispersal centre at the Bella Conference Centre and will showcase a satirical display illustrating how the tar sands are blocking their countries from supporting a fair and just climate treaty in Copenhagen.

Where: The procession will start at the Fossil of the Day booth in

When: Starting at 5:15 p.m., December 11, 2009.

Who: American and Canadian youth representing the Canadian Youth Delegation and other environmental and indigenous organizations.

Why: Tar sands oil is the main reason the United States and Canada are blocking a fair and just climate treaty at the UN climate conference. Production of tar sands oil releases at three times more global warming pollution than conventional oil production, and tar sands developments are the fastest growing source of global warming pollution in Canada. Sixty-eight per cent of tar sands oil is sent directly to the United States through existing pipeline infrastructure. Tar sands developments will prevent Canada from meeting its emission reduction targets under the Kyoto Protocol, and there is no place for the tar sands in a fair and just climate treaty to combat global warming.

Copenhagen, Denmark - A multi-generational delegation of 21 Indigenous Peoples from North America have arrived in Copenhagen, Denmark this week to advocate for the incorporation of Indigenous Peoples rights in the language of a fair, binding, and science-based global climate treaty at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The delegation is comprised of Native American, Alaskan Native, and First Nation activists and leaders from the communities most affected by climate change and fossil fuel development in North America. They represent many Nations including Cree, Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara, Blackfoot, Ojibwe, Kachiquel Mayan, Pasqua, Gwich'in, Navajo, Mikisew Cree, Inupiaq, Mohawk, Oneida, Zuni, and Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation.

The delegation, coordinated by the Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN), are attending the international climate negotiations to speak on behalf of their Nations, communities, and future generations in support of strong climate action and also to network with other Indigenous Peoples from across the world.

Nikke Alex, 24, an IEN youth delegate from the Navajo Nation, AZ, said, "My community has been greatly affected my climate change. In my community, many do not have basic utilities like running water and electricity, and over the summer, the wells and springs dried up forcing my family and many others to drive over 30 miles for water. I'm happy to see other Indigenous youth here to voice their concerns about decisions being made that will impact their future."

In order to protect their homelands from climate chaos, the IEN delegation is pushing for not only strong targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but also demanding effective, fair and equitable methods to address the climate issue. Global expectations for Copenhagen outcomes have dimmed in recent weeks, most prominently due to inaction by the world's biggest emitters, such as the United States and Canada. IEN delegates will work to pressure their home governments to step up their efforts to combat climate change.

We are here to tell the world, as the Indigenous Peoples of North America we will not sit on the side lines as the American and Canadian governments systematically kill international climate negotiations in the interest of promoting dirty fossil fuel development such as the Tar sands in Northern Alberta, Canada," says Clayton Thomas-Muller, Tar Sands Campaigner for IEN.

The delegation will also be working in solidarity with Indigenous Peoples from around the globe to advocate the inclusion of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples' (UNDRIP) in any climate agreement. In addition to lobbying, the delegation will be educating other UNFCCC and Klimaforum 09 attendees through workshops, non-violent direct actions, and most importantly, informing their own communities about progress in Copenhagen.

The Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN) is a United States-based non-governmental (Indigenous) organization formed in 1990 addressing environmental and economic justice challenges. IEN is a network of Indigenous Peoples empowering Indigenous communities and Nations towards sustainable livelihoods, demanding environmental justice, and maintaining the Sacred Fire of our traditions. Since 1998, IEN has been working on issues of climate change and global warming. IEN is one of the leading organizations/networks within the U.S. environmental justice movement involved in climate change policy - locally, nationally and globally. Visit http://www.ienearth.org for more information. Click here (html) or here (word doc) for IEN Delegation information.

Organisation: Indigenous Environmental Network and Rainforest Action Network and Council of Canadians

Description: Recognized as the biggest environmental crime in history, Canada's Tar sands cover a landmass 86,000km2 and can be seen from outer space. Second only to the Amazon in terms loss of forest every day, the tar sands are fuelling the global climate crisis. Climate justice activists from Canada, USA and Europe share ideas and strategies to pressure the nation of Canada to shut down the Tar Sands.

Our communities are disproportionately suffering the adverse effects of climate change, and Native voices must be heard in the global debate. Yet how many Indian nations are sending representatives, or participated in formulating the position and policies put forth by the United States?

It’s another classic case of powerful people in faraway places making decisions that will impact indigenous lands, lifeways and communities without adequate input or consent from Native peoples.

World leaders from 192 nations are meeting in Copenhagen to set parameters for a crucial new climate change agreement. The United States and China, the two biggest polluters on the planet, have set targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and it is imperative that world leaders adopt serious measures to tackle global warming.

The current carbon reduction proposals being considered are below those recommended by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. According to the IPCC, developed countries need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 25 – 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2020, and 80 – 95 percent below 1990 levels by 2050, in order to provide a “reasonable chance” of averting warming that will significantly risk severe and irreversible impacts on human and ecological systems.

Nicholas Stern, a leading British climate change economist who prepared a report for COP15, said if countries don’t reach agreement, world temperatures could rise by nine degrees Fahrenheit by the end of the century, making much of the world uninhabitable.

Native peoples are already seeing devastating impacts. In Alaska, some villages are literally falling into the ocean, while severe drought in the Southwest is scorching scarce grasslands and forests. In the Pacific Northwest, salmon runs have been decimated while vector borne diseases are spreading. Traditional foods and medicines are disappearing in Native territories across the country.

The recent Native Peoples Native Homelands Climate Change Workshop brought together nearly 400 Native leaders, scholars, elders, tribal college students and scientists to formulate a collective response to the far-reaching impacts of climate change on Native lands and communities.

At its conclusion, participants issued the Mystic Lake Declaration to offer solutions that can help Native communities form plans to address climate change impacts. Tribal governments, indigenous organizations, individuals, and others may read and sign on to the Declaration by going online.The Declaration will be presented in Copenhagen, and longtime environmental champions such as the Indigenous Environmental Network will be there taking a stand to ensure we have a voice in global decisions being made about our land and lives.

Report Calls for the Rejection of REDD in Climate Treaty
Indigenous Environmental Network calls for solutions that reduce emissions, protect forests and respect rights
Bangkok – Carbon markets should be eliminated from any future plans to tackle global warming, says a leading group of Indigenous Peoples present in Bangkok at the latest round of UN climate negotiations.

In a report released today, the Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN) predicts dire consequences for Indigenous peoples, biodiversity and the climate alike if the new, post-2012 climate treaty being debated here allows tradable carbon credits to be produced from projects such as the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) and the Clean Development Mechanisms (CDM).

IEN says REDD pilot projects, in which carbon in forests would be sold to industrialized societies as greenhouse gas pollution licenses, are already threatening to sever the connections between Indigenous peoples and the forests they protect.

According to the Food Agriculture Organisation (FAO), 60 million Indigenous Peoples depend on forests for their survival and most forests are found in Indigenous Peoples’ territories. “Indigenous Peoples have been the primary guardians of the forests for generations,” Carlos Picanerai, Secretary General of the indigenous organization, Coordination for Indigenous Peoples’ Self- Determination (CAPI), Paraguay. “Forests are not simply resources to be exploited, they are the sources of our lives and lifestyles.” Download/Read the complete statement: PDF - Word Doc